Protecting WILD Durham

Urban Conservation & Equitable Access to Nature for All

Celebrating 25 years of work towards a thriving Ellerbe Creek watershed where conservation, accessibility, and community engagement converge to safeguard natural resources and enhance public well-being.

Our Vision for the Future

ECWA's vision is a living creek connecting human and natural communities in Durham. Through land acquisition, collaboration with the city, and public education, we hope to create a Durham where residents can bike or walk across the watershed and stop at local businesses and nature preserves along the way.

LAND PROTECTION

ECWA works with local landowners and local and state government agencies to permanently protect land in the Ellerbe Creek Watershed.

This program aids in ensuring that future generations may continue to enjoy these protected spaces.

Explore ECWA's Preserves

What We Do

LAND CONSERVATION

ECWA restores precious habitat for biodiversity.

ECWA’s Land Conservation program aims to enhance the health and biodiversity of the Ellerbe Creek Watershed through active management of our protected lands. By restoring wetlands, forests, and implementing invasive species management techniques, we create more suitable conditions for native plants and animals to thrive. Engaging the community in this work ensures that ecosystem management extends beyond our preserves, equipping future generations with the skills and knowledge to protect the critical habitats and ecosystems within the watershed.

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ENGAGEMENT

ECWA works to collaboratively shape conservation objectives through a community based process, ensuring that all of our programming is built to increase access, participation, and benefit to marginalized communities. This is part of our ongoing work to shift away from traditionally accepted forms of conservation and move towards an equitable model that broadens the definition to address the needs and wellbeing of marginalized communities.

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OUR PRESERVES

17-Acre Wood Nature Preserve

Parking for 17-Acre Wood can be found at 1900 Maryland Avenue.

Preserve is open from Dawn to Dusk. Biking is permitted on the paved trail & please keep dogs on leash.

17-Acre Wood
Beaver Marsh Nature Preserve

Parking available at 3400 Ambridge Street or behind Super Compare Foods.
Preserve open from dawn to dusk. Please keep pets on leash, all terrain vehicles and overnight camping is prohibited.

Beaver Marsh
Glennstone Nature Preserve

Parking available at 3601 Glennstone Dr, Durham, NC 27704
Preserve open from dawn to dusk. Please keep pets on leash

Glennstone
Pearl Mill Nature Preserve

Parking is available at 703 Green Street
Along the South Ellerbe Creek Trail, this preserve is an inviting destination for trail goers to walk, bike, birdwatch, and explore

Pearl Mill
The Rocks Nature Preserve

Parking is available at 2520 Broad Street and Stadium Drive, but parking is limited at this time.
The preserve is open from dawn to dusk

The Rocks